FAQs

General questions

Why solar energy? What is solar electricity?

Unlike other unreliable, costly and hazardous solutions for off-grid electrification, solar electricity provides customers with constant access to electricity produced by converting sunlight into electricity. The energy is generated through a photovoltaic process and converted into DC electricity stored within a battery and made available for usage on demand. Solar electricity is a clean, sustainable and reliable source of power.

What is the Lumos electricity service?

Lumos provides access to affordable, reliable and clean solar energy to millions of people with no access to the electricity grid at a cost comparable or lower to what consumers currently pay for dangerous and polluting kerosene lanterns or noisy diesel generators. Lumos connects the dots between the mobile revolution and solar energy, through its patented, self-deployable mobile electricity system, with integrated cellular payment and advanced security mechanisms. With Lumos, households and businesses in the off-grid world can replace kerosene and candles with modern electricity that can power lights, mobile phones, fans, computers, TVs and other small electronic devices (all at once, every day). They can do this on a lease-to-own basis, purchased via the mobile phone. What makes Lumos so innovative is its built in security technology, and its ability to remotely track and analyze each self-installed system, eliminating the need for on-site technicians.

How does it work?

Through partnerships with leading mobile operators, Lumos delivers smart solar systems as a service purchased through the mobile phone. Customers pick up the Lumos system at their local mobile operator store for an affordable, one-time commitment fee. They install the solar panel on their roof, put the indoor battery unit inside the home and connect the provided cables and LED lights.
Thereafter, they pay for usage through their mobile phone using airtime. It’s as easy as sending an SMS or dialing a short code. The solar panel converts sunlight into electricity that is stored in the indoor battery unit. This electricity can be used day and night to power lights, mobile phones, fans, computers, radios, small TVs and other small electronic devices (all at once, every day).

Joining Lumos

How much am I going to pay for powering my home or business with Lumos?

The specific pricing for Lumos’ solar electricity is designed to be affordable to all. The systems are provided on a lease-to-own basis, purchased via their mobile phone. Customers pay for usage in small installments using their airtime minutes (in the same way they purchase data packages and other mobile services today). The payments are designed to be lower than what customers are used to spending on kerosene, candles, flashlight batteries and running their generators. As there are no additional and unexpected costs of maintenance, customers can enjoy peace of mind and constant access to electricity for a clear and affordable price.
For specific pricing details please contact your local Lumos distributor.

Can I buy the Lumos system upfront?

Lumos provides access to electricity for customers living with no access to the electricity grid. It is therefore delivered as a lease-to-own service, paid for in small affordable installments using the mobile phone airtime. The goal is to make solar electricity affordable to all. It is for this reason that Lumos systems are not offered for purchase upfront and rather offered on a lease-to-own basis.

What kind of warranty do you offer?

Lumos provides its customers with a 5-year warranty during the leasing period. Customers can therefore rest assured that they will not bear any additional service and maintenance costs during the warranty term. During the 5-year term the customer shall be entitled to receive repair services for the solar panel and indoor unit components of the system. In order to deliver the repair services, the company may require the return of parts, assemblies and system components to a designated company depot or to the point of purchase. Further details about the warranty are available in the company terms and conditions agreement provided.

Does the system work during the rainy season when there are limited hours of sunlight?

The ratio between panel and battery size was selected to enable usage during rainy seasons. On average, only 6 hours of direct sunlight are needed to fully charge the battery. In cases when weather conditions do not support effective generation, customers are requested to manage usage and minimize unnecessary consumption.

Who is the Lumos system intended for?

Lumos provides homes and businesses that are not connected to the main electricity grid or suffer from low or unreliable power supply with affordable and constant access to electricity. The Lumos solution is also intended for people who cannot afford the high energy spending related to grid connection and generator usage and do not have the cash available to pay upfront for a quality solar system. By spreading the costs and delivering solar electricity as a service, Lumos enables customers to enjoy affordable access to reliable solar electricity with a 5-year warranty. If you use a generator, kerosene, and batteries for power then Lumos offers an affordable and reliable alternative, generating considerable savings.

Payments

What is the cost of subscribing to the Lumos service?

To join the service, customers are required to make a one-off ‘commitment fee’ payment. Daily electricity plans are then available for purchase and used to credit the system according to customer preference (prices differ per country). After paying for 1,800 days the customer becomes the owner of the system. Lumos offers a 5-year warranty, so there are no additional service or hidden costs involved. . Further details about the costs and payment plans are available in the company terms and conditions agreement provided.

Product usage

How much power will customers get from the Lumos system?

It takes approximately 6 hours to fully charge the battery when the panel is placed in direct sunlight. Once the system is charged to full capacity, the usage pattern will determine for how many hours the system can be used. On a typical day you would be able to do all of the following together:
Light 2 powerful LED lights, strong enough to illuminate a room for 5 hours
Charge several mobile phones
Power a fan for 4-6 hours
Power a small TV 4 hours
Power a small radio for 10 hours
Power a PC or laptop
Other combinations of appliances are possible – it all depends on the usage/consumption patterns, power generation and battery level.

Which electronic devices can I use with my Lumos system? What kind of appliances does Lumos support?

Lumos is intended to power LED lights, mobile phones and support 12V DC electronic appliances such as fans, small TVs, radios, PC and laptops. For a list of compatible products read through the user guide and welcoming kit provided or contact customer service.

What kind of power output does the Lumos system have?

2X USB 5vDC/2.1A output

4X DC Jacks 12V DC/2A output

2X Car Cigarette Sockets 12V DC/8A

For further information read through the user guide provided or contact customer service.

Can Lumos support heavy-duty electronic devices?

No. For now, Lumos only supports efficient 12V DC appliances.

Can I use a DC\AC inverter with the system?

This will depend on the specific inverter. In any case, the system capacity will not be enough to power heavy duty AC devices (such as refrigerators). For further information read through the user guide provided or contact customer service.

Tips for getting more out of the Lumos system

⦁ To maximize power generation make sure that your solar panel is mounted according to the installation guide instructions and placed in full sunlight (clear of any shade) all day long. When needed, clean the panel to remove dust and dirt.

⦁ Make sure your system is fully charged before using.

⦁ To effectively use the electricity stored, manage usage according to available capacity and need.

⦁ Prevent power loss by plugging out appliances when they are not in use.

Technical support

What happens if my system needs to be fixed? Who pays for the repair?

As long as you are still within the 5-year warranty period, and provided the repair is not a result of deliberate abuse to the system, any repair or exchange needed will be covered by Lumos. During the term the customer shall be entitled to receive repair services for the solar panel and indoor unit components of the system. In order to deliver the repair services, the company may require the return of parts, assemblies and system components to a designated company depot or to the point of purchase. Further details about the warranty are available in the company terms and conditions and leasing agreement provided.

What happens if the system gets damaged after 5 years? Is the warranty still valid?

After the lease, the customers will have to pay for any repairs themselves.

Can I install the system myself?

The solar panel can be easily self-installed using the provided mounting kit (make sure to closely follow the detailed instruction of the user guide provided). If needed, assistance is available – simply call the local customer service for help.

I've made a payment and the credit didn't arrive to my system. What should I do?

Call the local customer service for help.

I'm getting limited working hours out of my system what should I do?

First make sure that your system is fully charging. If needed, make sure the panel is clean, not shaded, placed in full sunlight and facing the sun.
Make sure that unused appliances are unplugged/disconnected while the system is charging during the day.
For further support simply contact customer service.

What should I do if my Lumos systems stops working?

Simply call the local customer service center for guidance.

My battery capacity is not enough what should I do?

First make sure that the battery is fully charged and that you efficiently manage the consumption of the power you have. Call the local customer service center for help.

My system got stolen what should I do?

The Lumos systems are locked and fully secured and cannot be used in an unauthorized manner. If your system is stolen, please notify us to makes sure we have locked it for usage. We suggest you contact the police and report the theft.

What kind of maintenance is required?

The only maintenance required is cleaning of the solar panel to remove any dust or dirt. For details please review the user guide provided.